January 2, 2008

Rush: No to Huckabee, McCain, and Giuliani

Rush implicitly endorsed Romney and Thompson on his show this afternoon (who happen to also be my top two legitimate choices in this race) by saying this about the other three front-runners:

Limbaugh seemed to swipe at McCain, Huckabee and Rudy Giuliani, respectively, in responding to a caller about which candidate had true conservative bona fides.

“If our nominee is either not conservative and is pandering to the left trying to get some of their votes, or if our nominee is so afraid of his record that he’s relying on identity politics to get votes or if our nominee decides that the only way he can win is to go out and pick off some libs in the northeast and out in the west, it’s going to be a bloodbath,” he predicted of the general election.

Rush spent most of the program bashing Huckabee, like most conservative pundits have taken to doing. He then attacked McCain on immigration, tax cuts, interrogation, and CFR before responding to a caller with the above quote.

Now the question becomes: were the folks in Iowa and New Hampshire listening?

by @ 4:00 pm. Filed under 2008 Misc., Endorsements, Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani
Trackback URL for this post:
http://race42012.com/2008/01/02/rush-no-to-huckabee-mccain-and-giuliani/trackback/

54 Responses to “Rush: No to Huckabee, McCain, and Giuliani”

  1. www.act-blog.co.nr Says:

    probably.

    I think that, if Thompson becomes a non-factor (if he doesn’t get third or higher tomorrow), Rush will come out for Romney.

  2. ben Says:

    We lost in 2006 because we went along with the neo-cons which “conservative radio host” were pushing. social conservatives are not going to be thrown under the bus this time and thats why there going for Huckabee. You could tell that Rush was just reading out of Romney’s attack play book…..Generalizing every thing.

    He did’nt seem to know that Reagan raised taxes by 1 billion as governor in order to balance the budget.

  3. John Galt Says:

    Please Iowa, don’t be stupid. We are electing a president not a pastor. Lets nomiante the most conservative viable nominee. Mitt Romney!

  4. ben Says:

    # about as viable as John Kerry…..

  5. Brett Passmore Says:

    Lets nomiante the most conservative viable nominee. Mitt Romney!
    HA HA HA HA!

  6. MJ Says:

    I also can’t believe Rush is apparently taken in by Romney as well. He is NOT the real deal and he is definitely NOT a Reagan conservative. Come on Rush – get real! Thompson I agree with – however his ability to win the long haul is slim. McCain could take the White House in November and Giuliani could as well. Maybe Rush just wants the Republicans to wait another 4 years and find a better selection of candidates? A Romney nomination is a virtual guarantee of a Dem White House.

  7. Jared Says:

    C’mon Ditto-heads in Iowa. Don’t make yourselves the laughing stock of the GOP by choosing Huckabee. (Crossing my fingers, toes, eyes ;) )

  8. MJ Says:

    That Huckabee is not a viable candidate is plain to see. Just as plain, however, is that Romney is not also. Either one as nominee is political suicide for the GOP in November.

  9. ilfigo Says:

    MJ…McCain is no conservative.

    If Rudy or Romney do not win, it is the end of the Republican Party

  10. Abe Says:

    THE HUCK-A-BUST is COMING…..TOMORROW!!!

    Mark My Words!!!!

    Ya’ got that Metro…..

  11. Brett Passmore Says:

    #10, i oughta put it on the front page, just for you!
    So, when you are proven wrong, we all will see it!

  12. Abe Says:

    Be My Guest….

    And When I am Right…..

    Will you Post it with your name on it Also…

  13. Brett Passmore Says:

    #12. Yes.

  14. www.act-blog.co.nr Says:

    “We lost in 2006 because we went along with the neo-cons which “conservative radio host” were pushing.”

    Well, we lost in 2006 because we abandoned conservative positions – and we would be repeating that mistake if we choose McCain, Giuliani, or Huckabee.

    You people can say what you want, But Romney and Thompson are the only people who have not told the GOP to shove it on major issues within the last 12 months.

  15. Abe Says:

    Brett,

    No hard feelings….I’m just a little excited about Romney’s Win tomorrow…

    You (mostly) have been a great Huck-supporting-poster….

  16. Cory Says:

    Rush was right! Huckabee and McCain are NOT conservative!

  17. MJ Says:

    ifigo,

    I am not saying McCain is conservative – he is not on many issues. The true conservative left in this race is Thompson (an argument might also be made for Ron Paul – but he is a bit extreme on some items). Romney will probably end up winning the nomination – and it will not be the end of the GOP – but it will be the end of any chance of retaining the White House in November.

  18. joe c Says:

    im not a mccain supporter , but he is right when he says: “we didnt lose in 2006 because of the war, we lost because of corruption and spending”

  19. Abe Says:

    Brett # 13,

    Thanks…..I take back that (mostly)…..

    I’m a hack and I know it….

  20. Brett Passmore Says:

    #19. I actually LOL on that one. thanks. ill get it posted later today – just for you.

  21. Dave Says:

    There’s virtually no difference between Fred and Mitt on policy. The only real differences are:
    1) Romney’s younger and has more vitality
    2) Romney works harder and knows how to run a campaign
    3) He’s better looking, more articulate, and thinks faster on his feet
    4) He’s better read and more conversant with issues
    5) He has more resources to win in the general
    6) He will win in November, while Fred would lose.
    7) Mitt has a wealth of successful executive experience while Fred has none, and therefore
    8) Mitt actually knows how to govern the country and clean up the mess in Washington.

    Aside from that, there’s really no difference.

  22. BrettS Says:

    Actually, Fred or Mitt would get CRUSHED in the general. Our only hope is McCain or Rudy…my pick is Jmac.

  23. Abe Says:

    Man, And I thought I had a man-crush on Mitt…..

  24. ilfigo Says:

    Joe..The dems ran against Bush and his war, not spending/corruption. By the way, what did McCain do to stop the spending and corruption?…Nothing!

    I like Fred, but he has not done what is needed in primary and essentially the general election. I would love him as VP.

    Romney, like Fred, would open up all issues agains the Dems, which gives republicans better chance for November win.

  25. Iowa Says:

    RUDY’S NEW TV AD…. NH, FLORIDA, NATIONALLY ON FOX NEWS

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2iFhGtKO-Q&eurl=http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?p=4498794#post4498794

  26. Brett Passmore Says:

    #21, yea, he is superman! and if he were in barak’s shoes, he could just as easily be more liberal than hillary- he is amazing!
    The amazing flexible candidate- one size fits all! Go MITT! ;)

  27. ilfigo Says:

    Brett why do you think the liberal media is pushing McCain now if he can win in Nov.

  28. Falz Says:

    The people who believe that John McCain is electable are blind to reality. McCain is an OLD, old man hated by the real conservatives because he is a trojan horse for the GOP. Independents and democrats will vote for a real democrat (Clinton, Obama, Edwards)not a phony republican.

  29. ilfigo Says:

    brett…you are right, if everyone here does what they do with their own candidates…fail to look at his record.

    Romney’s record was Conservative…hard to be flexible on that!

  30. MJ Says:

    I am not a Romney supporter, but my prediction – based on Romney’s vastly superior GOTV machine, organization, and finances is:

    1. Romney (by a very comfortable margin)
    2. Huckabee (who will have a hard time going anywhere else to compete after this)
    3. Thompson (who may find enough vitality to compete in SC)
    4. Paul (who will stay in for the duration and/or start a 3rd party candidacy)
    5. McCain (who will struggle to beat Romney in NH)

  31. Brendan - Mitt 08 Says:

    Mitt by 8 points in a surprisingly strong win.

  32. cwpete Says:

    Brett, #5:

    “Lets nomiante the most conservative viable nominee. Mitt Romney!
    HA HA HA HA!”

    That is exactly what the National Review Magazine stated when it endorsed Romney.

    Romney is the most conservative viable candidate. Laugh all you want..

  33. Abe Says:

    MJ,

    Welcome to the Dark Side, Dum, dum, dum…..Dum-Dee-Dum…Dum-dee-dum….

  34. John Galt Says:

    Huck is suicide in the general. So is Giuliani. Mccain may not be and I argue romney is not either.

    health care and immigration are going to be the two biggest issues. romney has the immigration issue cornered pretty much (and spare me the lawn comments). He also as the health care issue cornered. he makes it a republican issue which i think is a must to win in the future.

    He did it with market principles and without raising taxes or growing government. He also did it with a super majority democratic government. every time hillary or barackk say we need health care, he says, well what have you done? I am the only one who actually did something and I did it without ruining our economy.

    He is a turnaround agent with incredible leadership skills. He can raise the money which huck and mccain can’t. he has proven to be shrewed and capable of taking on a hillary like machine. He can communicate effectively, he can rally all parts of the gop coalition, and he has proven cross party appeal.

    Romney is one of the most vialbe candidates we have. To even imply that huckabee is viable is laughable. seriously.

    by they way brett. even though i nail your candidate, i appreciate your posting here. Much better than the last anti mormon bigot they had posting.

  35. MJ Says:

    Abe,

    LOL – that’s the Star Wars “Darth Vader” theme right? – you did that very convincingly.

  36. Abe Says:

    I’m humming it right now…..

  37. IAHawk Says:

    WHEN Fred comes in 2nd tomorrow will all of you finally admit he is viable?

  38. Brendan - Mitt 08 Says:

    DUM dum DUM dum da-dada dadum dah de dum dah de dum

  39. mortensign Says:

    Let’s just hope the Huckabee Circus Politics will finally come to an end… Rush plays an “A” game, as he often says, “Don’t doubt me, trust me on this.” Fred’s a nice guy – but he should stick with acting or napping at the nursing homes. Fitting.

  40. Abe Says:

    YES, Baby……

  41. JA Pruce Says:

    One wild card here could be an eleventh hour endorsement from Newt Gingrich for some preferred candidate thus making him King Maker and possibly setting up a Gingrich run in 2012 or 2016.

  42. nowandlater Says:

    This is big for Fred. It hurts Huckabee (dangit). It’s neutral for Romney. Rush is clearly more excited about a Fred prospect and Mitt is only acceptable.

  43. openslather Says:

    The Man Who Runs America is going to be humbled tomorrow night. He’s been subtly bashing Huck since early December and he’s still in front. Not by as much as before, granted. But there’s no way Huck should be where he is anyway. I cannot WAIT for Rush to eat humble pie on Friday.

    I’m a conservative, but the Limbaughs and Krauthammers of the world are starting to look to me a lot like that Pharisees and Sadducees who were irate that Jesus challenged their establishment power.

    Tomorrow night, all you Huckabashers will be sorely disappointed.

  44. JB Says:

    Anyone have any idea/estimate when results will become apparent tomorrow night/Friday morning?

  45. sadie Says:

    This is one of the best comments I’ve read:
    I have read much diatribe about Mitt Romneys seemingly unquenchable double speak, and that somehow this habit of his makes it impossible for us trust him. Of course, most of what political types say has never been trustworthy, regardless of what side of the aisle one sits upon. It is behavior, far more than word, that tells me what is really in the heart of person.Show me the money. Talk is cheap! With a search for behaviors in mind, this is what I found when I went looking for Mitt Romneys actions, more than wordsI found a man who has pledged to forego his salary as President of the United States and who refused the same as Mass. Governor. Imagine, the president as a true public servant..I find it supremely refreshing. I found a man who recently spent a free Saturday morning in October helping San Diego fire victims, without so much as a word to the press? Chopping down trees and cleaning up the neighbor property. That sure makes him hard to trust.I find a man who once shut down his private business, and paid his staff to search for the missing daughter of one of his employees? No questions or expectations, just lets go find her! No one was watching and no one was listening. What does this say about the man?I found a man who has been loyal, faithful and true to his one wife and love for 38 years. Do we not realize what this says about a persons character, to have been so devoted and perfectly faithful in this most sacred of all relationships. And yet, some say he cant be trusted! Finally, I find a candidate who routinely turns organizations fiscal mismanagement into economic victory for the company and its employees and interests. And far more importantly, there is no one suggesting that he ever broke any laws or violated ethics in doing so! No Blackwater, no Whitewater, no Halliburton. So, I am left to conclude, given that I can trust no ones words, that it is only actions I can measure, and behaviors I can assess. From this standpoint, my choice for president is so easy and Mitt is that man!”
    Posted by:
    ScottfromAZ 12:44 AM

  46. random Says:

    ^
    ^
    ^

    LOL!!!!

  47. Chris Says:

    As a Romney supporter, it doesn’t seem to me that Rush sees Giuliani as anti-conservative. Giuliani may not be less than 100%, but he is definitely not anti-conservative. Huckabee and McCain have demonstrated repeatedly through word and deed that they are anti-conservative. They are out to destroy the Reagan coalition: Huckabee with his populism and identity politics (even his campaign manager Ed Rollins admitted that the Reagan coalition was dead to them), and McCain with his Amnesty/pro-tax ways. Rush seems to care more about the long-term survival of the conservative movement than worrying about temporary horse-race dynamics and electability issues. That is why he is lashing out at McCain and Huckabee. They would be damaging to the conservative movement.

  48. Jared Says:

    #42 – Do you honestly think Rush will have a change of heart and start drinking the kool-aid that you apparently have cases of. Huckabee is a liberal, as is McCain. It is OK to admit it. Just say it really quick, and then take a huge swig of the Huckabee flavored kool-aid, so you can go back into the trance you are clearly in. I have to ask, are you inferring that Huckabee is similar to Jesus?? If so, then this is the kind of frothing at the mouth evangelical support that shows how Huckabee will SURELY lose the general election, if he even makes it that far.

  49. random Says:

    ^
    ^
    ^

    LOL!!!!@ #42 I mean

  50. IAHawk Says:

    #42

    I think we are all a little dumber after reading your post. Thanks

  51. Chris Says:

    As Rush often reminds us, conservatives judge candidates on their actions and record. Liberal candidates want people to ignore their failures and judge them on their intentions. Huckabee wants people to ignore his actions and record and just believe the beautiful words coming out of his mouth. He sounds like a classic liberal! Romney’s record: he saved Mass. from a record budget crises without raising taxes, created an innovative health care solution based on the private market, and fought passionately to defend marriage and the unborn. Huckabee’s record: raised taxes, let murderers free, was plagued by countless ethics violations, and garnered an “F” on the Cato’s institute’s grading of all governors. But he quotes scripture and says he wants to help people, so he says his record does not matter. You’re in the wrong party Huckabee. That trick only works with the dems.

  52. Jared Says:

    #51 – Well said.

  53. Shawnie Says:

    #51 In principle I agree with you, but have you seen the polls?

    Huck has shot himself in the foot so bad, he could never win the GOP nomination and certainly not the office despite winning Iowa and/or SC. When do you guys get the Media is going very soft on him in hopes he will be the GOP nominee, because then it’s a shoe-in for Clinton. Same with McCain in NH. Liberal media props them up, protects them from their own Howard Dean moments at all costs, Democratic Committee doesn’t run negative ads and PR on them until……after the primaries Huckabee and McCain are NOT sustainable. I hope we don’t have to learn those lessons the hard way.

  54. Is Rush on the outs? Says:

    [...] Rush implicitly endorsed Romney and Thompson on his show this afternoon (who happen to also be my top two legitimate choices in this race) by saying this about the other three front-runners: [...]

State of the Race


Obama Approval


Support R4'12

Meta

Recent Posts

Buy This Book

Categories

Archives

Search

Blogroll

Site Syndication

Main